Dec 4, 2015 3 min read

The last time property owners in Chartiers Township faced an increase in their local real estate tax was 22 years ago. It will be no different in 2016 as the township supervisors approved a tentative budget last week that keeps the tax rate at 9 mills.

Keeping real estate taxes steady is becoming less common among municipalities, said Jodi Noble, township manager. Each mill generates $62,731 in revenue, with the average property owner paying $132 a year in real estate tax to the township.

“We have had a slow-but-steady growth in the township,” Noble said. “That, combined with other external funding sources, has enabled us to hold the line.”

One of the external funding sources is the landfill host fee paid to the township by Waste Management for the Arden Landfill. Noble said the fee is expected to bring about $900,000 in revenue to the township, almost twice the $530,000 generated through property taxes.

But the township is trying to wean itself away from relying on that fee for general operating expenses, using it instead for capital purchases, Noble said.

“If the landfill fee would go away, the township would have to double the property tax to make it up,” Noble said. “So we are trying to transition away from using it for day-to-day expenses.

“It is more fiscally responsible not to rely on it, in case it goes away,” she added. “We are making the transition for the long-term financial stability of the township.”

Noble said next year’s spending plan is a “meat and potatoes” budget with no frills.

“We have budgeted $200,000 for the road-paving program,” Noble said.

“After the first of the year, we will take a tour of the roads and make a priority list that we will give to the township engineer and see what that will cover.”

The board also has included money to expand the parking lot at the township’s community center off West Pike Street. Money also was earmarked for the purchase of a new dump truck for the road department to replace a 1988 model. Noble said it is being purchased for $150,000 through a state contract. The township expects to take delivery about the first of the year. Noble said the township also may look at making improvements to the stormwater management system.

The budget also includes money for the police department to get a system through which it can file citations electronically at the district judge’s office. Police Chief James Horvath said it will get officers back on the road faster.

The township volunteer fire department also will be getting $6,000 more in the 2016 budget to cover additional expenses.

Noble said the final budget will be adopted at the supervisors’ Dec. 15 meeting.